Nukrashi Pasha served as the prime minister of Egypt twice. His first term was from 1945 to 1946, and the second from 1946 to 1948.[1] In 1948, Nukrashi Pasha became very concerned with the assertiveness and popularity of the Muslim Brotherhood.[5] Rumours of a Brotherhood coup against the monarchy and government had appeared.[5] Shortly after these rumours, he outlawed the Brotherhood in December 1948, leading to his assassination.[5][6][7] In addition, the assets of the group were seized and many of its members incarcerated.[7]

Assassination

Less than three weeks after these activities against the Brotherhood, Nukrashi Pasha was assassinated by Abdel Meguid Ahmed Hassan who was a veterinary student at the University of King Fouad I and a member of the Brotherhood on 28 December 1948 at 10:00 am.[5][7][8][9][10] He was killed in the main building of the Ministry of Interior by Hassan who was wearing the uniform of a lieutenant.[10] Hassan shot him twice.[10] His assassination in turn led to the assassination of Hasan Al Banna on 12 February 1949, a month and a half later, though Banna had condemned the assassination as a terrorist act incompatible with Islam.[5]

The assassin was arrested after the murder, and confessed that he was a member of the Brotherhood.[10] He reported that he killed Nukrashi Pasha due to his reaction to the group and his orders to dissolve the group.[10] He was hanged after the trial and three men who had helped him were sentenced to penal servitude for life.[10]